A REALITY show star got a Christmas gift appeal off to a cracking start.

Chantelle Houghton donated a signed copy of her new autobiography Living the Dream when she visited Asda in Ellesmere Port.

The starlet, who won TV's Celebrity Big Brother in January, handed it to Captain Bill Dolling who is running the annual appeal with the supermarket.

Captain Dolling is the retail and community chaplain in Ellesmere Port and, with his wife Karen, leads the Salvation Army church in the town.

He said: 'We are so grateful to Chantelle for giving us her support. We are collecting presents for babies right up to 16-year-olds, so we are sure one of the older young people would love her book in their Christmas stocking this year.

'Many families have come to rely on the toys and presents donated through our annual gift appeal.

'We work with many partner agencies including local charities, community organisations and social services to ensure families who need it receive a little extra help to make Christmas special.'

The appeal lasts until Sunday, December 17. As well as children, gifts for the elderly and homeless are also welcome and will be distributed through the relevant charities.

Shoppers are asked to buy a gift in-store or drop off a new one, unwrapped, at the parcel point by the customer service area in Asda.

Suitable gifts include toys and clothes for babies; educational toys, stationery and puzzles for young children; suitable games/CDs/DVDs for older children and teenagers; toiletries, clothes, diaries, books and ornaments for older people. But no food or used items.

Asda events co-ordinator Anne Pryor said: 'When we heard how our donations were received last year, it made us even more determined to help out again but this year in an official capacity.

'Having worked closely together with Bill for the last three years, we have been pleased to offer our support in a variety of practical ways. But Christmas lends itself to an even greater platform for giving.'